GB2201859A - Mounting devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A mounting device for mounting an item such as a loudspeaker in a ceiling comprises a first frame part (5) which is received in an aperture in the ceiling (c) and having means, such as latches (13) to hold the part in the aperture, and preferably including a masking flange (3) extending in use beyond the aperture, and a second part for location within the first part, and pivotally movable between an open position, in which it hangs down from the first part (1) and a closed position of use, there being a bayonet type connection (29) between the two parts, so that by twisting the second part relative to the first part, the second part can be moved from its position of use to its hanging down position, this being achieved by providing hinge means (23, 31) on the two parts which are engaged when the bayonet connection is disengaged. <IMAGE>

Description

MOUNTING DEVICES This invention relates to mounting devices for mounting in ceilings or the like and especially to a mounting device for a ceiling loudspeaker.

Normally, mounting devices for fixing in ceilings or the like for supporting loudspeakers or other devices come in two parts, one of which is a frame part which fits up into an aperture in the ceiling and is normally permanently secured in position so as to hide the aperture. It therefore normally has a flange located tight up against the periphery of the aperture so as to mask its boundary, and a second flange extending at right angles to the first- mentioned flange which fits within the aperture.The frame part can be secured in the aperture in many different ways, for example by screw fixings extending through small holdes in the first-mentioned flange which engage with the ceiling itself adjacent the aperture therein, or by means of a hidden fixing device projecting from a hidden portion of the frame part and arranged to be manipulated so that a part thereof will engage above an upper surface of the ceiling immediately adjacent the aperture therein. Thereafter, a second part of the mounting device is presented up into the frame part and secured in position in some way so that when assembled with the frame part it has a neat appearance. The second part can be secured in the frame part either by means of fixing screws or some other type of quick-fit connector such as a bayonet fitting, or aluminium ribs on the second part can be deformed to hold the second part in position.

However, it is only possible to deform these ribs if access to above the ceiling is possible, e.g if the ceiling is of the suspended variety made up of ceiling tiles. If the mounting device is for a ceiling loudspeaker, the second part of the device normally provides the face or grille of the speaker and the remainder of the speaker is located above it and accordingly the second part is actually quite heavy. Furthermore, before the loudspeaker can work it obviously has to be wired up and unless excessive wiring is used so that a technician can wire it out of the ceiling, which wire can then be pushed up above the ceiling, it is an extremely difficult task to wire up the speaker while holding it above one's head in the vicinity of the opening, perhaps partially within the frame part of the mounting device.

One solution of this problem has been to tie the second part of the mounting device including the loudspeaker up in the ceiling while it is being wired but this can only be done if there is something in the ceiling void to tie the second part to.

The present invention seeks to provide a mounting device for use in a ceiling and which is particularly suited for mounting loudspeakers in ceilings and which enables the loudspeaker or whatever to be wired up in a simple fashion.

According to the present invention, we provide a mounting device for a loudspeaker comprising a first frame part for location within an aperture in a ceiling and including means to hold said first part within said aperture and a second part located or locatable within the first frame part and movable between a first position and a second installed position and including hinge means connecting the first part to the second part.

Preferably, the frame part is in the form of an outer ring having an upstanding stiffening flange at its inner periphery, from which a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections extend and preferably the second part is generally circular and arranged to form a close fit within the ring, the second part also having an upstanding stiffening flange adjacent its outer periphery, from which a plurality of radially extending projections extend outwardly, the arrangement being such that the projections on the second part project by a similar amount to the amount by which the projections on the first part project inwardly and the spacing of the projections on the two parts being such that the second part can be located within the first part with the projections on the one part alternating with those on the other and being so arranged that by twisting the second part relative to the first part its projections can be located above those on the first part in the manner of a bayonet fixing to maintain the second part within the first part with its visible face aligned with the face of the first part.

Preferably, the hinge means comprises at least one pair of spaced inverted stirrup members projecting inwardly from the internal periphery of the first frame part, which co-operate with circumferentially extending pins on a radially outwardly extending projection on the second part.

It is preferred that the pins are provided on the same extensions as are used to co-operate with the extensions on the first part to hold the two parts together, it being necessary to lift the second part so as to disengage the pins from the stirrups before it is possible to twist the second part to engage its projections above those on the first part.

In a preferred arrangement three projections are provided on each part, and each projection on the second part may be provided with a pair of circumferentially extending pins. The pair of stirrups is preferably provided equally spaced between a pair of projections on the first part and if desired, d pair of stirrups may be provided between each adjacent pair of projections on the first part.

It is preferred that a lip or ledge extends between the or each set of stirrups and an adjacent projection on the first part past which a projection on the second part must be pushed to engage the two parts. This then prevents the two parts from separating when they are twisted relative to each other between a position where the hinge means are in use and a position where they are disengaged and the relative projection on the second part overlies a projection on the first part. Preferably, each projection on the first part has a central portion separated from edge portions by steps to assist in locking the second part in position within the first part.

A preferred embodiment of mounting device according to the present invention and for a ceiling mounted loudspeaker is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a first frame part or outer ring of the mounting device; FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the ring of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a front view of a second part of the mounting device arranged to be located within the ring of Figures 1 and 2; FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the part shown in Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figures 2 and 4 when they are assembled, and FIGURE 6 is a scrap view looking in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a first frame part or outer circular ring 1, having a flange 3 arranged in use to mask the' outer periphery in an aperture B in a ceiling or the like (see Figure 5) from which a second flange 5 projects to extend upwardly into the aperture B. A stepped region 7 is provided between the two flanges from which a plurality of fixing devices 9 project. As shown, these comprise studs 11, the free ends of which are barbed and with which swing latches 13 rotatably engage, the latches 13 being of a generally L-shaped construction with one arm of the L being engaged with the barbed portion of the stud and the other arm of the L being arranged to be swung round so that after presenting the ring 1 up into the aperture in the ceiling, it can be engaged with the top surface T of the ceiling C to hold the ring 1 in position. To ensure that the flange 3 sits tightly against the under face of the ceiling, the latches 13 are pushed down firmly on the barbed ends of the studs 9, the barbs ensuring that they do not subsequently slip back and also holding a peripheral portion of the ceiling around the aperture B between the flange 3 and latches 13.

At three equally circumferentially spaced locations around the internal periphery of the ring 1 a radially inwardly extending projection or flange 15 is provided, the projections or flanges 15 extending inwardly from the free surface of flange 5 and including a central portion 17 flanked by end or ramp portions 19, there being a step down to the central portion 17 from the inner end of each end portion 19. Also extending inwardly from the flange 5 is a pair of spaced bracket members 23 which with the flange 5, provide two inverted stirrups 21, 21a one arm of the stirrup being provided by the flange 5 and the other arm and the cross member of each stirrup being provided by the bracket member 23.One stirrup 21a projects above the top edge of the flange 5 and between the other stirrup 21 and its adjacent projection 15, 17, 19, a lip or ledge 22 is provided which extends radially inwards to widen the flange 5 between stirrup 21 and flange end portion 19.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the mounting device includes a second circular part 25 forming the face of a loudspeaker and which is therefore in the form of a grille. The second part 25 or speaker face is of a diameter so that it will fit snugly within the flange 5 on the ring 1 with its face flush with the face of the flange -3, and on its rear face, spaced inwardly from its periphery by a distance slightly greater than the amount by which the projection or flanges 15 extending inwardly from the flange 5 on the ring 1, is an upstanding circular stiffening flange 27 (see also Figure 5). Extending outwardly from the free edge of the flange 27 are three circumferentially spaced radially extending projections 29 of a width similar to that of the projections or flanges 15.At each of its ends, at least one of the projections 29 and preferably each projection 29 is provided with an extension pin 31.

The stirrups 21 are arranged to co-operate with the pins 31 so as to form a hinge as will now be described.

To assemble the second part 25 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 with the first frame part or ring 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear face of the second part is presented up into the interior of the ring 1 so that its three projections 29 are located between the three projections 15 on the ring 1.

Because of the lip or ledge 22, it is first necessary to force one of the projections 29 past the lip or ledge 22 (this can be achieved quite easily as either the ledge or projection can temporarily deform slightly). To lock the second part in position, the second part is pushed upwardly sufficiently far so that its three projections 29 are located just above the top edge of the flange 5, and by twisting the part 25 relative to the ring 1, its projections 29 can be located above the projections 15. To assist in locking the two parts together it is desirable to twist the part 25 relative to the part 1 until its three projections 29 pass over the steps at the upper ends of the end portions 19 and the projections can nest down into the central portions 17.

The second part 25 comprises a grille or face of a loudspeaker and would normally have the loudspaker mechanism mounted on its rear face and usually, before it is fixed in position within the ring or frame part 1, it is necessary to wire up the loudspeaker mechanism. To assist in doing this, an edge region of the part 25 in the vicinity of one of the projections 29 would normally be offered up into the ring 1 so that the two pins 31 carried by the projection 29 can be located within a pair of stirrups 21 which act as hooks to support the loudspeaker and its front or grille from the ring 1.

The pins 31 and stirrups 21 provide a hinge between the two parts 1 and 25 which enables an electrician or sound technician to gain access to the loudspeaker on the rear of the part 25 to wire it up (see Fig.5). When he has wired the speaker to his satisfaction, the loudspeaker grille (part 25) can be pivoted about its hinge up into the ring 1 and can then be raised bodily so as to disengage the hinge, whereupon its projections 29 can be engaged with the projections or flanges 15 on the ring 1 in the manner of a bayonet fixing in the manner previously described. If subsequently the wiring has to be checked or the speaker repaired or replaced, this operation can be reversed relatively simply.

It will of course be appreciated that the mounting device described herein is particularly suited for ceiling mounted loudspeakers but could have many other uses. Furthermore, while each of the frame parts as illustrated have three projections thereon, only two or more than three could be provided. They should however be so arranged on each of the two parts so as to be complementary with each other. It is also envisaged that alternative means for fixing the first frame part or ring 1 within the aperture B such as traditional screws would be possible and other methods of securing the second part or speaker grille within the ring 1 are possiblee.g. snap fit latches or the like, in which case, of course, alternative hinge arrangements between the two parts would be possible, including a permanent hinge arrangement.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. A mounting device for a loudspeaker comprising a first frame part for location within an aperture in a ceiling and including means to hold said first part within said aperture and a second part located or locatable within the first frame part and movable between a first position and a second installed position and including hinge means connecting the first part to the second part.

2. A mounting device according to claim 1 wherein the frame part is in the form of an outer ring having an upstanding stiffening flange at its inner periphery, from which a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections extend.

3. A mounting device according to claim 2 wherein the second part is generally circular and arranged to form a close fit within the ring, the second part having an upstanding stiffening flange adjacent its outer periphery, from which a plurality of radially extending projections extend outwardly, the arrangement being such that the projections on the second part project by a similar amount to the amount by which the projections on the first part project inwardly and the spacing of the projections on the two parts being such that the second part can be located within the first part with the projections on the one part alternating with those on the other and being so arranged that by twisting the second part relative to the first part its projections can be located above those on the first part in the manner of a bayonet fixing to maintain the second part within the first part with its visible face aligned with the face of the first part.

4. A mounting device according to claim 1, ? or 3 wherein the hinge means comprises at least one pair of spaced inverted stirrup members projecting inwardly from the internal periphery of the first frame part, which co-operate with circumferentially extending pins on a radially outwardly extending projection on the second part.

5. A mounting device according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3 wherein the pins are provided on the same projections as are used to co-operate with the projections on the first part to hold the two parts together, it being necessary to lift the second part so as to disengage the pins from the stirrup members before it is possible to twist the second part to engage its projections above those on the first part.

6. A mounting device according to any one of claims 2-5 wherein three projections are provided on each part.

7. A mounting device according to claim 3 wherein each projection on the second part is provided with a pair of circumferentially extending pins.

8. A mounting device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the pair of stirrups is located equally spaced between a pair of projections on the first part.

9. A mounting device according to claim 4, 5 or 8 wherein a lip or ledge extends between the stirrups and an adjacent projection on the first part past which a projection on the second part must be pushed to engage the two parts, thus preventing the two parts from separating when they are twisted relative to each other between a position where the hinge means are in use and a position where they are disengaged and the relative projection on the second part overlies a projection on the first part.

10. A mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each projection on the first part has a central portion separated from edge portions by steps to assist in locking the second part in position within the first part.

11. A mounting device for a loudspeaker, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.